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AFM Pastoral Letter 4th Quarter_2023

AFM Family,

We have reached the end of the year! This moment always gives an individual an opportunity to look back and reflect on the past year as well as an opportunity to look ahead to the new year. This is how I approached this last Pastoral Letter of 2023. In addition, I asked my fellow National Office Bearers to also contribute and share what is currently stirring in their hearts. Together, we trust that the messages in this Letter will be a blessing to our AFM Family. We conclude with Christmas wishes as we enter a special and significant season on the Christian calendar.

PART 1: Dr Henri Weideman
(President of the AFM of SA)

Focus on our Holy Spirit Foundations

We are a Pentecostal church, which means we believe in the working of the Holy Spirit in and through the everyday lives of Christ’s followers. In South Africa, we need to keep the Holy Spirit fire burning in our hearts and lives to fulfil our redemptive purpose. I am encouraged by the way most Regions and many assemblies throughout the church have taken up the theme for 2023 and focused on the Holy Spirit’s work in and through us.

“In South Africa, we need to keep the Holy Spirit fire burning in our hearts and lives to fulfil our redemptive purpose.”

Leadership Development

For many years we have been talking about the development of leaders. This year it became a reality! By taking a group of twelve young leaders through a yearlong development program, the AFM Legacy Leadership Program is aimed at developing a generation of God-fearing, Christ-like, Holy Spirit-filled leaders who will live, lead, and leave a legacy for the church, the Kingdom and society at large.

The first in-person session of this program took place from 28 September to 1 October 2023 in Centurion (Gauteng). This session focused on the AFM history and background, the ecumenical church space in South Africa, and personal awareness, -knowledge and life purpose. It will be followed by online engagements, assignments and two more in-person sessions early in 2024. If you are interested in knowing more about this specific programme in the AFM, you can refer to the brochure on the website: https://afm-ags.org/afm-legacy-leadership-program/. The applications for the 2024-2025 intake will open shortly.

We also embarked on strategic ongoing leadership interventions for National Leadership Forum (NLF) members. During the 2023 NLF sessions, the following topics were covered: “Leading for Engagement”; “Proactively Addressing Mental Health” and “Strategy Frameworks that Leads to Effective Action Plans” – all of which were conducted by the Themba Thandeka Leadership Institute.

Education and Training Collaborative Agreements

The NLF approved the creation of multiple entry points into ordained ministry, including both the CHE (Academic) & QCTO (Occupational) level 6 and 7 courses. Engagements with the South African Theological Seminary (SATS) continued and resulted in the signing of an RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) agreement for implementation beginning in 2024. An agreement on collaboration in implementing QCTO qualifications, (inclusive of NQF level 2 and 5 qualifications as entry points) was established with Word and Life Academy. This is a highlight for me because it will enable easier and more affordable entry into ministry training for AFM members who experience that God is calling them.

The Welfare Department

The greatest achievement in the AFM Welfare during this time, was to bring this ministry on a more sustainable financial path. This was achieved by several cost-saving actions, inclusive of cuts in some salaries, combining children’s homes where feasible, selling some houses and setting profit off against outstanding bonds, combining posts, and filling vacancies on a subsidy scale. One of the greatest challenges remains the transformation of the way the welfare ministry of the church is perceived and the way it functions, to be more service provider-orientated. We had a successful strategic planning workshop in November 2023 in this regard.

“I realized that building unity and building relationships are directly linked.”

Deepening the Expression of Unity

The visible deepening of the expression of unity on all levels in the AFM is of great importance to me. I continue to engage strategically with leaders, role players and members of our church in this regard and I see healthy but slow progress. I realized that building unity and building relationships are directly linked. We need to talk more about this and work intentionally on building relationships in our local communities.

PART 2: Past. Rudi Coertzen
(General Treasurer of the AFM of SA)

The year 2023 was a year where I was stretched and challenged to serve our Master with greater vigour. Our theme for the year, Keep the Fire Burning, helped me to focus clearly on what is important. Every time I spoke, I realized, the fire must burn brightly. As we started the year with our NOB Empowerments, I was fortunate to interact with all our pastors and leaders. I enjoyed engaging with our leaders and asking and answering difficult questions. From my perspective, the empowerments were a great blessing to me, and it helped me to grow in my relationship with God.

All the different department conferences were well attended and the energy from the leaders of the departments, energized me. The youth was like the youth is, exuberant and loud and lots of dance and songs. The women impressed us with a well-organized, well-attended and colourful conference in Durban. The men did excellently in their coming together and the Children’s Ministry presented an educator training event in Cape Town. Our church is busy and moving all over the country. Our National Ablaze Conference in Cape Town brought all the different parts of our church together. It was a wonderful experience for everyone who attended.

“Our church is busy and moving all over the country.”

Between all the activities we held a lot of meetings, and I experienced the Hand of GOD and the inputs of the Holy Spirit in our meetings. We are a church and if we do not allow the leading of the Holy Spirit, our work will be in vain. Something that not many members know is that we as NOB meet every Tuesday morning on Zoom to discuss matters of the church, but also to pray. We have regularly interceded for our pastors, their families, and our members. It often happened that we prayed for issues that were unfolding in our country. Prayer is our weapon! I am looking forward to 2024 as we are planning and praying for great things to happen. May you and your family have a peaceful festive season and experience once again the blessing of the great gift, Jesus Christ, that was sent to us.

PART 1: Dr Henri Weideman
(President of the AFM of SA)

Prayer and Fasting

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (NIV) encourages us to “Rejoice always, pray continually, (and to) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

“Prayer and the belief that God answers prayer, remain foundational to our faith as Pentecostal believers. “

Prayer and the belief that God answers prayer, remain foundational to our faith as Pentecostal believers. As the leaders of the AFM in South Africa we are calling on all our Pastors, Assembly Leaders, and members to make a determined effort to rejuvenate and energize our focus on prayer and fasting during the month of January. I ask every Assembly to facilitate times of prayer and fasting during January 2024. Monday, 15 January to Friday, 19 January 2024 is marked as a focus week in this regard.

Five video clips will be made available on the AFM of SA’s social media from 12 January 2024 onwards. The clips can be used in WhatsApp communication over the five days or as a point of departure during prayer meetings. The video clips will focus on “Prayer is…”:

• • Our direct communication line to God.
  • An expression of thankfulness.
  • Sharing our hearts with God.
  • About aligning our hearts with God.
  • Anytime and anywhere.

I acknowledge the fact that our Assemblies function within a diversity of circumstances and therefore I do not want to be prescriptive on how you should structure this month and the focus week of prayer and fasting. I however urge you to consider this important matter and to find a way that will work effectively in your context.

Let us be reminded that we should not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 6-7).

Focus On Foundational Spiritual Principles

Whatever we say about being a “missional” church boils down to a challenge: We need to rediscover and strengthen our spiritual identity and how we live as (Pentecostal) Christians in a world that has moved past being centred on the values and principles of Christianity.

“…rediscover and strengthen our spiritual identity.”

Our plan to be more missional in how we spread our message, must never only rely on conceptual forms of our drivers, being Discipleship, Empowerment, Community Involvement, working with other churches (Ecumenical Involvement), and being well-run (Good Governance). It must be based on building a deep connection with the Holy Spirit and on taking practical action.

As Christians, the things we do like praying, helping others, being together, and sharing our beliefs – are not just for our own benefit. They are about showing how God’s love can change the world. We are meant to go out and show this love in action, by being kind, forgiving, and giving hope to others.

The church is a product of and also an active participant in God’s mission. We are all missionaries. Every believer and every local church are central to God’s mission and must discern where and how He is moving in their specific context and join up with Him. To do this effectively, we need to continuously cultivate a renewed spiritual identity and life as a community of Jesus followers.

“…showing how God’s love can change the world.”

2024 NOB Empowerment Visits

The NOB felt led to continue the focus on who we are and how we must live as Holy Spirit-filled people and church in 2024. This time around with the focus on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. During the 2024 Regional Empowerment visits, we will focus on the theme:

FAN INTO FLAME – the gift of God, which is in you.

Based on 2 Timothy 1: 6: “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you. (NIV)” and “Stir up the gift of God which is in you. (NKJV)” We will share on the spiritual gifts, sound teaching, our testimony and unity. In support of our theme, I give over to Past. Selby Khumalo (General Secretary) to share what is stirring in his heart regarding our 2024 FAN INTO FLAME theme:

PART 2: Past. Selby Khumalo
(General Secretary of the AFM of SA)

Maintenance of the Spiritual Fire

We are a community and people of the Spirit and Fire, having been “…baptised with the Holy Spirit and Fire.” (Luke 3:16, ESV) This fire of God is a sign of spiritual renewal, consecration, and empowerment. We must maintain and ensure that this spiritual fire is kept burning in us and in our spiritual family. This is God’s fire and not a manufactured fire – maintaining its burning is our entire obligation and commitment. Let us continue to FAN INTO FLAME the gifts of God which are in us:

“…His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.” (Jeremiah 20:9, BSB)

“Do not extinguish the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19, BSB)

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God…” (Ephesians 4:30, BSB)

We are excited to spend time with our Church Family on this very significant theme. Kindly take note that the dates and venues of the 2024 NOB Empowerment Visits have been confirmed and I can share this information with you:

PART 1: Past. Barend Petersen
(Deputy President of the AFM of SA)

Good Tidings of Great Joy!

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2: 10). “Fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2: 10).

Jesus came as the light into this dark world. It was the star of Bethlehem that led the Wise men to Him in the manger in Bethlehem and they were filled with joy when they saw Jesus. The star of Bethlehem reminds us that all the efforts by the evil one to darken or extinguish the light of the Lord will fail and that He will guide us through this dark and broken world.

There is something uniquely special about Christmas that brings joy, peace, and goodwill to our hearts. The wonder of Christmas has been experienced since the birth of Jesus, throughout the ages by people all over the world. The magnetic power of the love of God, personified by the birth of His Son, continues to draw people to Him and change their lives. His birth reminds us that we too can experience the joy of redemption, of healing and provision.

David confidently declares in Psalm 16: 11: “You have made known to me the path of life, you fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand” whilst Nehemiah proclaims in chapter 8: 10: “The Joy of the Lord is my strength.” Most of us have experienced that, “…when my anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul” Psalm 94:19. May we truly experience the joy of the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas and the year ahead!

PART 2: Dr Henri Weideman
(President of the AFM of SA)

Jesus, the light of the World!

Over the years different forms of light have been used as part of Christmas celebrations and decorations. In a small way, they depict the magnificent Light that Jesus shines into this world – from the day He was born, until today. Just as the star led the wise men to the new-born King – Jesus, the true light of the world, has come to dispel the darkness in our lives.

Let us remind our loved ones that:

Jesus is the Light of the World: In John 1: 4-5 we read: “In Him was life and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Jesus is the Gift of God’s Love: John 3: 16 tells us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Christmas is a testament to God’s incredible love for humanity. He gave us His Son Jesus Christ as the gift of Salvation to all mankind – the greatest gift we could ever receive.

I grew up in a house where only the young children received gifts on Christmas day and where it was explained that the gifts they received were a reminder of the birth and everlasting gift of Jesus Christ.

I wish all our members, Assembly Leaders, Pastors, Regional- and Departmental leadership, and Committees as well as all NLF members, a blessed and peaceful celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. May you experience times of togetherness and rest with family and loved ones, and may 2024 be an exceptional year of God’s grace for us all.

Friendly Regards!
Henri Weideman

Laai die PDF weergawe hier af (om maklik uit te druk of per e-pos aan te stuur):

AGS Pastorale Brief 4de Kwartaal_2023

AGS Familie,

Ons het die einde van die jaar bereik! Hierdie oomblik gee ‘n mens altyd ‘n geleentheid om terug te kyk en na te dink oor die afgelope jaar asook ‘n geleentheid om vorentoe te kyk na die nuwe jaar – dit is hoe ek hierdie laaste Pastorale Brief van 2023 benader het. Ek het my mede-Nasionale Ampsdraers gevra om ook bydraes te lewer en te deel wat tans in hulle harte en gees roer. Saam vertrou ons dat die boodskappe in hierdie Pastorale Brief tot seën vir ons AGS Familie sal wees. Ons sluit af met Kersfees wense soos ons ‘n spesiale en betekenisvolle seisoen op die Christelike kalender betree.

DEEL 1: Dr Henri Weideman 
(President van die AGS van SA)

Fokus op ons Heilige Gees Fondasie

Ons is ‘n Pinksterkerk, wat beteken dat ons glo in die werking van die Heilige Gees in en deur ons daaglikse lewens as Jesus-volgelinge. Om ons doel as kerk in Suid-Afrika te vervul, moet ons die Heilige Gees vuur in ons harte en lewens laat brand.  Ek is bemoedig deur die manier waarop die meeste van ons Streke en baie gemeentes regdeur die kerk, die tema vir 2023 opgeneem het en gefokus het op die Heilige Gees se werk in en deur ons.

“Om ons doel as kerk in Suid-Afrika te vervul, moet ons die Heilige Gees vuur in ons harte en lewens laat brand.”

Leierskap Ontwikkeling

Ons praat al ‘n geruime tyd oor die ontwikkeling van leiers. Hierdie jaar het dit ‘n werklikheid geword!  Deur ‘n groep van twaalf jong leiers deur ‘n jaarlange ontwikkelingsprogram te neem, is die AGS Legacy Leadership Program daarop gemik om ‘n generasie van Godvresende, Christus geïnspireerde, Heilige Geesvervulde leiers te ontwikkel wat ‘n nalatenskap vir die kerk, die Koninkryk en die samelewing in die algemeen daar sal stel.

Die eerste in-persoon sessie van hierdie program het van 28 September tot 1 Oktober 2023 in Centurion (Gauteng) plaasgevind. Hierdie sessie het gefokus op die AGS geskiedenis en agtergrond, die ekumeniese kerkruimte in Suid-Afrika, asook op persoonlike bewustheid, selfkennis en lewensdoel. Dit word opgevolg deur aanlyn sessies, werkopdragte en nog twee in-persoon sessies vroeg in 2024. Om meer inligting oor hierdie spesifieke program in die AGS met moontlike kandidate te deel, verwys gerus na die brosjure op die AGS webwerf: https://afm-ags.org/afm-legacy-leadership-program/. Aansoeke vir die 2024-2025-inname sal binnekort open.

Ons het ook met strategiese deurlopende leierskap intervensies vir NLF (Nasionale Leierskap Forum) -lede begin. Tydens die 2023 NLF-sessies is die volgende temas behandel: “Leierskap wat interaksie bevorder”, “Proaktiewe Geestesgesondheid” en “Strategie Raamwerke wat lei tot Effektiewe Aksieplanne” – al hierdie sessies is aangebied deur die Themba Thandeka Leierskap Instituut.

Samewerkingsooreenkomste vir die Opleiding van Pastore

Die NLF het die skepping van verskeie toegang punte tot geordende bediening goedgekeur, insluitend beide die “CHO” (Akademiese) en “QCTO” (Beroepsgerigte) NQF vlak 6 en 7 kursusse. Samesprekings met die Suid-Afrikaanse Teologiese Seminarium (SATS) het gelei tot die ondertekening van ‘n RPL – “Recognition of Prior Learning” ooreenkoms vir implementering vanaf 2024. Die implementering van “QCTO”-kwalifikasies, (insluitend NQF vlak 2 en 5 kwalifikasies as toegangsroetes) sal in samewerking met die Woord en Lewe Akademie geskied. Dit is vir my ‘n hoogtepunt, want dit sal makliker en meer bekostigbare toegang tot bedienings opleiding moontlik maak vir AGS-lidmate wat ervaar dat die Here hulle roep.

Die Welsyn Departement

Die grootste prestasie in die AGS Welsyn gedurende hierdie tyd, was om hierdie bediening finansieel op ‘n meer volhoubare pad te bring. Dit is bereik deur verskeie kostebesparings aksies, insluitend besnoeiings in sommige salarisse, die kombinasie van huise vir kinders waar moontlik, die verkoop van bepaalde huise en die verrekening van die wins teen uitstaande verbande, die kombinasie van poste en die vul van vakatures op subsidie skaal. Een van die grootste uitdagings bly die transformasie van die manier waarop die welsyn bediening van die kerk gesien word en funksioneer, om toenemend ‘n opleidings- en dienste verskaffer rol te vervul. Ons het in November 2023 ‘n suksesvolle strategiese beplannings werkswinkel in hierdie verband gehad.

“Ek het weereens besef dat die bou van eenheid en die bou van verhoudings direk aan mekaar gekoppel is.”

Verdieping van die Uitdrukking van Eenheid

Die sigbare verdieping van die uitdrukking van eenheid op alle vlakke in die AGS is vir my van groot belang.  Ek gaan voort om strategies met leiers, rolspelers en lidmate in ons kerk in gesprek te tree in hierdie verband en ek sien gesonde maar stadige vordering. Ek het weereens besef dat die bou van eenheid en die bou van verhoudings direk aan mekaar gekoppel is. Ons moet meer hieroor praat en doelbewus werk aan die bou van verhoudings in ons plaaslike gemeenskappe. Dit is ook van groot belang vir die toekoms van ons land.

DEEL 2: Past. Rudi Coertzen
(Hooftesourier van die AGS van SA)

2023 was ‘n jaar waarin ek uitgedaag is om ons Meester met groter krag en intensiteit te dien. Ons tema vir die jaar, “Keep the Fire Burning”, het my gehelp om te fokus op wat belangrik is. Elke keer as ek daaroor gepraat het, het ek besef die vuur moet helder brand. Tydens die NOB-bemagtiging besoeke het ek geleentheid gehad om met al ons pastore en leiers te kommunikeer. Ek het hierdie betrokkenheid geniet asook die kans om moeilike vrae te vra en te beantwoord. Vanuit my perspektief, was die besoeke ‘n groot seën en het dit my gehelp om in my verhouding met God te groei.

Al die Departement Konferensies was goed bygewoon en die energie van die Departement leiers het my energie gegee. Die jeug was soos die jeug is, uitbundig met baie danspassies en liedjies. Die vroue het ons beïndruk met ‘n georganiseerde en kleurvolle konferensie in Durban – wat uiters goed bygewoon is. Die manne het uitstekend gevaar in hul samekoms en die Kinderbediening het ‘n opleidings geleentheid vir Opvoeders in Kaapstad aangebied. Ons kerk is besig en beweeg oor die hele land. Ons Nasionale ABLAZE Konferensie in Kaapstad het al die verskillende dele van ons kerk bymekaar gebring. Dit was ‘n wonderlike ervaring vir almal wat dit bygewoon het.

“Ons kerk is besig en beweeg oor die hele land.”

Tussen al die aktiwiteite deur het ons baie byeenkomste gehou en ek het die Hand van God en die insette van die Heilige Gees in ons byeenkomste ervaar. Ons is ‘n kerk en as ons nie die leiding van die Heilige Gees toelaat nie, sal ons werk tevergeefs wees. Iets wat nie baie lidmate weet nie, is dat ons as Nasionale Ampsdraers elke Dinsdagoggend op Zoom vergader om sake van die kerk te bespreek, maar ook om te bid. Ons het gereeld voorbidding gedoen vir ons pastore, hul gesinne en ons lidmate. Dit het dikwels gebeur dat ons gebid het vir sake wat besig was om in ons land te ontvou. Gebed is ons wapen! Ek sien uit na 2024. Ons beplan en bid vir groot dinge om te gebeur. Mag jy en jou gesin ‘n rustige feestyd beleef en weereens die seën ervaar van die groot geskenk, Jesus Christus, wat aan ons gestuur is.

DEEL 1: Dr Henri Weideman
(President van die AGS van SA)

Gebed en Vas

1 Tessalonisense 5:1 6-18 (NLV) moedig ons aan: “Wees altyd vol blydskap. Moenie ophou bid nie. Wees in alle omstandighede dankbaar, want dit is wat God van julle verwag omdat julle met Christus Jesus verenig is.”

“Gebed en die oortuiging dat God gebed verhoor, bly kern in ons geloofslewe as Pinkster gelowiges.”

Gebed en die oortuiging dat God gebed verhoor, bly kern in ons geloofslewe as Pinkster gelowiges. As die leiers van die AGS in Suid-Afrika doen ons ‘n beroep op al ons Pastore, Gemeenteleiers en lidmate om ‘n vasberade poging aan te wend om ons fokus op gebed en vas gedurende Januariemaand te vernuwe en te versterk. Ek vra elke Gemeente om tye van gebed en vas in Januarie 2024 te fasiliteer. Maandag, 15 Januarie tot Vrydag, 19 Januarie 2024 word as ‘n fokus week in hierdie verband gemerk.

Vyf videogrepe sal vanaf 12 Januarie 2024 op die AGS sosiale media beskikbaar gestel word. Hierdie videogrepe kan gebruik word in Whatsapp-kommunikasie oor die vyf dae, of as ‘n vertrekpunt tydens gebedsbyeenkomste. Die volgende onderwerpe sal behandel word:

Gebed is:

• • Ons direkte kommunikasielyn met God.
  • ‘n Uitdrukking van dankbaarheid.
  • Om ons harte met God te deel.
  • Om ons harte in lyn te bring met die hart van God.
  • Enige tyd en enige plek.

Ek erken die feit dat ons gemeentes binne verskillende omstandighede funksioneer en daarom wil ek nie voorskriftelik wees oor hoe julle hierdie maand en fokus week van gebed en vas moet struktureer nie. Ek doen egter ‘n beroep op jou om hierdie belangrike saak te oorweeg en ‘n manier te vind wat effektief in jou konteks sal werk.

Ons moet onthou dat ons oor niks besorg moet wees nie, maar in elke situasie, deur gebed en smeking, met danksegging, ons versoeke aan God moet voorlê. En die vrede van God, wat alle verstand te bowe gaan, sal oor ons harte en gedagtes die wag hou in Christus Jesus (Filippense 4: 6-7).

Fokus op Basiese Geestelike Beginsels

Wat ons ook al sê oor missionêre kerkwees kom neer op ‘n uitdaging: Ons moet ons geestelike identiteit herontdek, versterk en fokus op hoe ons as (Pinkster-) Christene leef in ‘n wêreld wat verby die waardes en beginsels van die Christendom beweeg het.

Ons plan om meer missionaal te wees in hoe ons ons boodskap versprei, moet nooit net staatmaak op konseptuele vorme van ons fokusareas (of drywers) nie, naamlik Dissipelskap, Bemagtiging, Gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid, samewerking met ander kerke (Ekumeniese Betrokkenheid) en om goed bestuur te word. Hierdie drywers moet gebaseer wees op die bou van ‘n diep verbintenis met die Heilige Gees en op praktiese aksie.

As Christene het ons aktiwiteite soos om te bid, ander te help, gereeld byeen te kom en om ons oortuigings te deel. Die doel van hierdie aktiwiteite dien nie net tot ons eie voordeel nie. Dit gaan daaroor om te wys hoe God se liefde die wêreld kan verander. Ons is bedoel om uit te gaan en hierdie liefde in aksie te betoon, deur vriendelik te wees, te vergewe en hoop aan ander te gee. Die Kerk is ‘n produk van en ook ‘n aktiewe deelnemer aan God se missie. Ons is almal sendelinge. Elke gelowige en elke plaaslike Gemeente staan sentraal in God se sending en moet onderskei waar en hoe Hy in hulle spesifieke konteks beweeg en met Hom saamwerk. Om dit effektief te kan doen, moet ons voortdurend ons geestelike identiteit vernuwe – en lewe as ‘n gemeenskap wat Jesus-volgelinge kweek.

“Dit gaan daaroor om te wys hoe God se liefde die wêreld kan verander.”

2024 NOB Bemagtiging Besoeke

Die Nasionale Ampsdraers het gelei gevoel om voort te gaan met die fokus op wie ons is en hoe ons in 2024 as Heilige Geesvervulde mense en Kerk moet leef. Hierdie keer met die fokus op die gawes van die Heilige Gees. Tydens die 2024 NOB bemagtiging besoeke sal ons fokus op die tema:

FAN INTO FLAME – the gift of God, which is in you.

Dit is gebaseer op 2 Timoteus 1:6 (AFR’83) “Om hierdie rede herinner ek jou daaraan dat jy die genadegawe wat God jou gegee het toe ek jou die hande opgelê het, soos ‘n vuur moet aanblaas.”  2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV) “…Fan into flame the git of God, which is in you…” Ons sal deel oor die geestelike gawes, gesonde lering, ons getuienis en eenheid. Ter ondersteuning van ons tema gee ek oor aan Past. Selby Khumalo (Hoofsekretaris van die AGS van SA) om te deel wat in sy hart roer oor ons 2024 tema:

DEEL 2: Past. Selby Khumalo
(Hoofsekretaris van die AGS van SA)

Die Onderhouding van ons Geestelike Vuur

Ons is ‘n gemeenskap en mense van die Gees en Vuur, nadat ons gedoop is “…met die Heilige Gees en met vuur” Lukas 3:16 (AFR83). Hierdie vuur van God is ‘n teken van geestelike vernuwing, toewyding en bemagtiging. Ons moet verseker dat hierdie geestelike vuur in ons en in ons geestelike familie aan die brand gehou word. Dit is God se vuur en nie ‘n vervaardigde vuur nie – om hierdie vuur aan die brand te hou is ons verpligting en dit vereis ons toewyding. Laat ons voortgaan om die gawes van God wat in ons is, aan te blaas en aan te wakker:

“…Die boodskap van die Here brand in my binneste soos ’n vuur. Dit is soos vuur wat in my liggaam ingehok is. Ek probeer so hard as wat ek kan om dit binne te hou, maar ek kan nie.” (Jeremia 20:9 DB)

“Moenie julle doof hou wanneer die Gees met julle praat nie. Luister fyn na sy stem.” (1 Tessalonisense 5:19 DB)

“Ja, moenie God se Heilige Gees hartseer maak nie…” (Efesiërs 4:30 NLV)

Ons is opgewonde om tyd saam met ons AGS Familie te spandeer oor hierdie belangrike tema. Neem asseblief kennis dat die datums en lokale van die 2024 NOB-bemagtiging besoeke bevestig is en ek deel graag hierdie inligting met jou:

DEEL 1: Past. Barend Petersen
(Adjunkpresident van die AGS van SA)

Goeie Nuus met Groot Blydskap!

“Toe hulle die ster sien, was hulle baie bly.” (Matteus 2:10). “…maar die engel het hulle gerusgestel: “Moenie bang wees nie!” het hy gesê. “Ek bring vir julle goeie nuus wat groot blydskap vir almal inhou!” (Lukas 2:10 NLV).

Jesus het as die lig in hierdie donker wêreld gekom. Dit was die ster van Betlehem wat die wysemanne na Hom in die krip in Bethlehem gelei het en hulle was vervul met blydskap toe hulle Jesus sien. Die ster van Bethlehem herinner ons daaraan dat al die pogings van die Bose om die lig van die Here te verduister of uit te doof, sal misluk en dat Hy ons deur hierdie donker en gebroke wêreld sal lei.

Daar is iets uniek aan Kersfees wat vreugde, vrede en welwillendheid in ons harte bring. Deur die eeue heen en deur mense regoor die wêreld, word die wonder van Kersfees en Jesus se geboorte ervaar. Die magnetiese krag van die liefde van God, verpersoonlik deur die geboorte van sy Seun, gaan voort om mense na Hom toe te trek en hul lewens te verander. Sy geboorte herinner ons daaraan dat ons ook die vreugde van verlossing, genesing en voorsiening kan ervaar.

Dawid verklaar met selfvertroue in Psalm 33:14: “U wys vir my die lewenspad; in u teenwoordigheid is vreugde, en aan u regterhand is daar blydskap vir altyd” terwyl Nehemia in hoofstuk 8:10 verkondig “…want die blydskap wat die HERE gee, sal julle krag wees!” (Nehemia 8:10 NLV). Die meeste van ons het dit ervaar: “Wanneer twyfel my oorweldig, het u troos my verbly.” (Psalm 94:19 NLV). Mag ons werklik die vreugde van die geboorte van Jesus Christus ervaar hierdie Kersfees en die jaar wat voorlê!

DEEL 2: Dr Henri Weideman
(President van die AGS van SA)

Jesus, die Lig van die wêreld!

Deur die jare is verskillende vorme van lig gebruik as deel van Kersfees vieringe en versierings. Op ‘n klein manier beeld hulle die manjifieke Lig uit wat Jesus in hierdie wêreld skyn – vanaf die dag waarop Hy gebore is, tot vandag toe. Net soos die ster die wyse manne na die nuutgebore Koning gelei het, het Jesus, die ware lig van die wêreld gekom om die duisternis in ons lewens te verdryf.

Kom ons herinner ons geliefdes daaraan dat:

Jesus die Lig van die Wêreld is: In Johannes 1: 4-5 (NLV) lees ons: “In Hom was daar lewe en díe lewe het gedien as die lig vir die mense. Die lig skyn in die duisternis, ja – die duisternis het dit nie uitgedoof nie.”

Jesus is die gawe van God se liefde: Johannes 3:16 (NLV) sê vir ons: “God het die mensdom só liefgehad dat Hy sy enigste Seun gegee het, sodat elkeen wat in Hom glo, nie verlore sal gaan nie, maar die ewige lewe sal hê.” Kersfees is ‘n bewys van God se ongelooflike liefde vir die mensdom. Hy het sy Seun Jesus Christus aan ons gegee as die geskenk van Verlossing aan die hele mensdom – die grootste geskenk wat ons ooit kon ontvang.

Ek het grootgeword in ‘n huis waar net die jong kinders op Kersdag geskenke ontvang het, en waar verduidelik is dat die geskenke wat hulle ontvang, ‘n herinnering is aan die geboorte en ewige geskenk van Jesus Christus.

Ek wens al ons lidmate, Gemeenteleiers, Pastore, streeks- en departementele leierskap en komitees sowel as alle NLF-lede en gesinne ‘n geseënde en vreedsame viering van die geboorte van Jesus Christus toe. Mag jy tye van samesyn beleef en rus saam met jou familie en geliefdes, en mag 2024 ‘n uitsonderlike jaar van God se genade vir ons almal wees.

Vriendelike Groete!
Henri Weideman